Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recoveredHendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
FORT MYERS Apple AirPods lead LCSO to an arrest ; over $100,000 worth of stolen items recovered Through the use of Apple Airpods, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was able to locate nearly $100,000 worth of stolen items, leading to an arrest.
LABELLE Hendry County rolls out cameras for school speed zones The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office has rolled out a new way of enforcing school zone speed limits by using cameras that will target drivers traveling over a certain speed in a school zone.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral officials approve replacement funding for hurricane-damaged stop signs The Cape Coral City Council has approved funding to replace stop signs damaged during Hurricane Milton, resulting in an emergency purchase.
Holiday events happening in Southwest Florida Southwest Florida is embracing the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events this Christmas season.
Collier man accused of supplying fentanyl-laced pills, enough to kill 531,500 people The Collier County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man accused of supplying more than 10,000 fentanyl-laced pills disguised as prescription painkillers.
CAPE CORAL Cape Coral council supports construction of I-75 interchange into city The Cape Coral City Council has approved a resolution requesting support from Lee and Charlotte counties to prioritize state and federal funding for the Interstate 75 Interchange at Slater Road.
PUNTA GORDA Crews removing derelict boats from Gilchrist Park Crews are working to remove derelict boats from Gilchrist Park after several of them washed ashore during Hurricane Milton in October.
33rd endangered Florida panther death of 2024; killed by vehicle in Hardee County Another Florida panther has been killed by a vehicle, this time in Hardee County, increasing the death toll of the endangered species to 33 for 2024.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon After waking up to a cold morning, the Weather Authority is tracking warming conditions to the low 70s this Thursday.
Police release threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
Bailey’s General Store. (Credit: WINK News) Bailey’s General Store has been in Sanibel for more than 100 years. Now they need a hand to rebuild, and what’s a better way to do that than wine and food? Friends of Bailey’s are hosting the inaugural Waterline Wine Auction that will go to the rebuilding fund for the store. Why is the wine being sold so special? It survived Hurricane Ian. A total of 3,200 bottles survived, and Bailey’s is auctioning them Sunday to raise cash to rebuild the store. The owner also plans to donate some of the money to local non-profits. Richard Johnson didn’t know he’d be the heir to Bailey’s legacy; it just happened that way. “Since I’m the son-in-law, it definitely was a calling,” said Johnson. “The Bailey family moved here in 1895” They opened Bailey’s General Store in 1899. An astonishing record for a family-owned, mom-and-pop grocery store. WINK News asked Johnson what their secret to success is. “It’s customer service. It’s that sense of community. It’s the place to go.” It is the same reason they haven’t given up after being hit hard by Ian. “We need to be part; we need to be here for the community.” Stepping into Bailey’s General Store today is like opening up a time capsule. Cans, cookies, Goldfish, and more are all perfectly placed on the shelves, just as they were on September 28. Inside Bailey’s General Store after Ian. (Credit: WINK News) The groceries somehow stayed in place as the building surrounding them experienced immense destruction. “The wall of water took out our store and literally destroyed everything,” said Johnson. Now, the lights are off, and the smell of mold and rotting food fills the air, but Johnson remembers it just as it was. “I remember faces. I remember friends and family and people that we had people that were in here every single day.” “The kids would walk in, and the first thing when we see a group of kids walk in with their parents first thing we do is we get the parents and want to know if it’s OK for the kids to have a cookie. Every kid got a cookie when they want,” Johnson said. The general store, and the businesses that surrounded it, are hard for Johnson to forget. “Next door, another little small shop, Tips and Toes, was a manicurist that was here. Used to be the only barber shop on Sanibel for many years. Here’s an iconic spot here. Joey’s Custard. This is a family. All of these businesses are family-owned and operated.” Seeing his store destroyed is hard, but a promise of the future makes that pain a little easier to deal with. “I’m ready to close this chapter and work with our insurance carriers and get that wrapped up and move on with the rebuilding process,” said Johnson. Bailey’s is going to cost between $15-20 million to rebuild. Johnson said their hope is to be up and running in 2024 or 2025 at the latest. The auction to help support that rebuild will be held in the parking lot of Bailey’s General Store from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. (Credit: Bailey’s General Store)